Recently I asked one of our teen volunteers what they were reading and what they'd like to see a display of in the teen area. The reply was "cozy fantasy." If you've not come across it before, cozy fantasy is a newish sub-genre of fantasy - imagine a warm fire, a comfy chair, a cup of cocoa that never grows cold, a plate of your favorite cookies, and a generally happy book with a magical narrative. Often cozy fantasy has a fairy tale or folk tale inspired setting and/or story line. In December I put up a cozy fantasy display in the teen area, which has since been replaced by a display of thriller novels (a swing of the pendulum here). But, in case you missed it shared below (with links to the catalog) are 13 of the titles that were in the display. I highly recommend both A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking, and The Goblin Emperor, if you want to try cozy fantasy. And, there are reasons why the Redwall series, and Howl's Moving Castle have not gone out of print since 1986, and are still in the teen collection, so if you've not already read them you might start with one of them (there are 24 books in the Redwall series).
The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison, 2014. When the Emperor of the Elflands, & 3 sons in line for the throne all perish in an airship crash, 18-year-old Maia is recalled from exile & proclaimed heir to the throne. Maia, unschooled in the art of court politics, whose mother was a goblin, is transformed from pariah to messiah--attracting sycophants, schemers, & enemies.
Stardust, by Neil Gaiman, 1999. Living in a Victorian countryside town overshadowed by an imposing stone barrier, Tristran is compelled to retrieve a fallen star for the woman he loves and crosses to the wondrous other side of the barrier, where he encounters dangerous rivals for the star.
Redwall, by Brian Jacques, 1986. (First book in series) When the peaceful life of ancient Redwall Abbey is shattered by the arrival of the evil rat Cluny and his villainous hordes, Matthias, a young mouse, determines to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior which, he is convinced, will help Redwall's inhabitants destroy the enemy.
Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones, 1986. Eldest of three sisters in a land where it is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl.
A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking, by T. Kingfisher, 2020. 14-year-old Mona isn't like the wizards charged with defending the city. She can't control lightning or speak to water. Her familiar is a sourdough starter and her magic only works on bread. She has a comfortable life in her aunt's bakery making gingerbread men dance. But Mona's life is turned upside down when she finds a dead body on the bakery floor. An assassin is stalking the streets of Mona's city, preying on magic folk, and it appears that Mona is his next target.
Enchanted, by Alethea Kontis, 2012. When Sunday Woodcutter, the youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week, kisses an enchanted frog, he transforms back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland--a man Sunday's family despises.
Something Close to Magic, by Emma Mills, 2023. No-nonsense baker's apprentice Aurelie, who has the gift of Seeking, is reluctantly drawn into an adventure when a bounty hunter needs her help rescuing Prince Hapless from the dangerous Underwood -- and finds what's even more dangerous are the feelings she's starting to have for the prince.
A Far Wilder Magic, by Allison Saft, 2022. Sharpshooter Margaret and alchemical apprentice Weston form an unlikely team competing for glory in a magical fox hunt--while she wants to lure her mother home, Wes needs the prize money to support his family and his political aspirations.
